Definition of complementnext
1
as in supplement
something that serves to complete or make up for a deficiency in something else with his practicality and her refreshing enthusiasm, they are perfect complements to each other

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2
as in capacity
the largest number or amount that something can hold a full complement of sailors on the ship

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as in to adorn
to serve as a completing element to this silk handkerchief will complement your suit very nicely and give it a bit of dash

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of complement
Noun
Raridon could emerge as a strong complement to veteran Hunter Henry. ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026 The filmmakers feel Linney is a perfect complement to the two other leads. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
Hunting for planets Roman provides a strong example of how different planet-hunting techniques complement each other. Thomas Fauchez, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026 The waffle-weave construction provides superior cleaning and drying without scratching, complemented by brilliant, beautiful designs. ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complement
Noun
  • Psyllium husk is a popular supplement that may provide some helpful benefits.
    Melissa Fiorenza, HEALTH, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Communities draw from local taxes or other fees to support their modest flood control budgets and supplement grant funding.
    Kaleigh Yost, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Talent flight across many ASEAN economies prevents them from developing the technocratic capacity needed for advanced technology and energy sectors.
    Brian Wong, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The festival, with a capacity of 80,000 people, also was hit with mud and rain in 2023 as many attendees were trapped on its grounds, where vehicle traffic was temporarily limited and some hiked in the mud to nearby towns.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Star-Telegram watched filming from a distance and saw an all-black car with a camera adorned to its roof driving behind a black sedan and black SUV.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The delicate construction consisted of a high neck and long sleeves adorned with mauve silk bows at the wrists.
    Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Faster speeds generally mean a compromise in quality, multi-color 3D printers often waste some filament, and higher volume loads usually demand more hardware.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2026
  • As a more permanent legacy, the museum has produced companion volumes for each of the three itineraries introduced in 2022, 2024, and 2026.
    Ingrid D. Rowland, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Brady Corbet’s 2024 film The Brutalist was demonized for using AI to enhance the accents of Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, and for using the tech to create architectural drawings and buildings in the style of Brody’s character, László Tóth.
    Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Having your franchise player, a future Hall of Famer, ask out in such a public way is only going to enhance that view.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Investors can assess community needs by interviewing local business owners, tenants and neighborhood real estate agents.
    Justin Donald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Adams said the warning extends to everyday transactions beyond real estate.
    Emily Elconin for CNN, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • There are already rumors of the Senate breaking for campaign season early, but Republican leadership still wants to confirm nominees and complete some regulatory rollbacks.
    Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • So the first question was whether a single party should ever hold a complete key, and therefore complete control over a client’s assets.
    Sergey Stopnevich, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Floor-to-ceiling glass walls let a lot of light into the space, which is decorated in tones of gray, with dark wood herring bone floors in the bar.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The cakes were mostly straightforward iced and decorated affairs, and were nothing that the man—or more likely the woman—in the street wouldn’t recognize as cake.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complement. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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